Address of Colonel Roosevelt made at the laying of corner
stone of school building, Kijabe, B.E.Africa.
August 4"1909.

Mr. Hurlburt, I think I need hardly say that it is a real and great pleasure to me to be here today,
and to take part at the laying of the corner stone of the building, which I believe will be
associated with an amount of good which we cannot at present foretell.

Of course, in my judgment there must ultimately be a general diffused rudimentary education
among these tribes, but there must always be the industrial training that you give, for these
natives who show an aptness for it. And as I was saying to one of your number coming up the
hill, I am so pleased that your effort should be so largely to teach the teachers and train the
trainers among their own fellow-tribesmen and raise them, not to become make-believe or
imitation whites, but by going back to their own people and helping to train them along lines
which will prevent the reproach, that after all this is only a white man's affair; that the native
himself is not having any part in it. The men whom you teach can thus teach others whom you
cannot reach, and much more be accomplished be (sic) teaching those teachers than you could
accomplish by a general diffused effort. You turn out the leaders who are to take the lead in the
uplifting of their own race. I believe that you have accomplished and will accomplish much. Of
course, every one must recognize that there cannot be any sudden transformation; and the people
at home who back up these missions must understand that the work cannot be done in years, but
that it is the work of generations; that infinite patience is necessary; that the progress is
necessarily slow, and that they must not be too impatient for immediate results.

As I was saying to another of your number the other day (or rather as he way saying to me), the
very fact that the progress is step by step, puts it on a much firmer foundation than if it were a
purely emotional movement which pointed to results for a few weeks and then faded out. I think
that those at home who demand too quick and immediate results are mistaken in their idea of
mission work. I think the permanence of your work will be in large part due to the very fact that
you have been going step by step, with infinite patience in the face of infinite difficulties. But
fortunately, to this audience I need not say, that broad, cool-headed sanity and acceptance of facts
are as important factors in achieving success as the most disinterested enthusiasm.

Mr. Hurlburt, as you were saying when I was here last, the men who can do best here are the men
who can work with their hands; who, when they preach to these people how they ought to work,
can themselves show them by example, what can be done. And I very earnestly hope, that in
sending out missionaries, our people at home will refuse to accept those who are lacking in this
all-sufficient requisite; otherwise you will be in danger of having assistants who will cause you
more trouble than they will give you help.

It is our plain duty, Mr Hurlburt, I mean that it is the duty of all white men who occupy positions
in the tropics, whether it is in the Phillipines (sic) or British East Africa or any place else, to try
to help the backward race; we are not fit to be leaders if we do not do that; and the part the
missionaries play in the movement, is of the very highest importance. I want to see the settler,
the government official and the missionary work hand in hand, each recognising the difficulties
in the other's position. It is a mighty easy thing for us to recognise the difficulties in our position,
but we must also recognize those in the positions of others.

I know that your work among the natives is your primary object, but I am particularly pleased,
Miss Hope, to be here today because the erection of this building symbolizes, not only that you
are working for the natives but for the settler's children and the children of your own
missionaries.

When I was traveling thru the country, I was interested in coming to two or three houses where
they spoke of this school an (sic) the only possible place for having their children trained; and it
is a fine thing to have the ocular demonstration of his appreciation of a duty toward the white
settler, no less than his duty toward the natives round about him. The missionary should, of
course, strive constantly for justice and fair treatment for the natives, but he should no less make
it his constant endeavor to be of use to the settler. Much can be done thru the school and I am
happy to say it is evident, much can be done thru the medical work also.

Now, this may be carrying coals to New Castle, but whenever you get a chance, I do hope you
will establish a little church building where there is a group of settlers. I was struck on more than
one occasion by having some settler's wife say to me, how much it would mean if they could
have a little church building and have an occasional visit by some missionary who could come
for possibly only one Sunday, or for a couple of Sundays each month. I know that where the
settlers are so scattered this represents a matter very difficult at the monent (sic) but I hope you
will keep it in mind: it would mean so much in the lives of the men and especially in the lives of
the women on the farms round about. Settlers sometimes have a hard time and I feel pretty
sympathetic.

I earnestly wish you well in your work; all missionaries who do honest, practical work, whatever
their creed, are entitled to the heartiest sympathy and support and it will be a particular pleasure
to me when I go back to my own country, to report what is being accomplished by this
Interdenominational Mission.